Etihad Reveals fresh First and Business Class on A321LR

DUBAI- Etihad Airways (EY) has unveiled its new premium cabin experience for the Airbus A321LR fleet, featuring lie-flat seats in both first and business class.

The Abu Dhabi-based carrier will introduce these aircraft starting August 1, marking Etihad’s first single-aisle planes with full lie-flat premium accommodations and comprehensive cabin upgrades.

Photo: Etihad

Etihad A321LR Premium Experience

The new Etihad Airbus A321LR configuration brings a true three-cabin experience to medium-haul routes with an impressive premium-heavy layout.

Etihad Economy Class | Photo: Etihad

In the forward-most section, travelers will find just two first-class suites arranged in a 1-1 configuration.

These reverse herringbone seats feature sliding privacy doors, companion dining options, and 20-inch 4K entertainment screens with modern connectivity options including Bluetooth pairing and Qi wireless charging.

Unlike many competitors who market similar premium bulkhead seats as “business-plus” with a modest upcharge, Etihad has positioned these as a genuine first-class product with full service alignment to their wide-body experience.

This approach ensures premium passengers enjoy consistent luxury regardless of aircraft type, with the same elevated dining experience and amenities found on their flagship routes.

Etihad Business Class | Photo: Etihad

Business Class Transformation

Behind the first-class cabin, Etihad offers 14 business-class pods also arranged in a 1-1 configuration.

These window-facing seats provide excellent privacy despite lacking sliding doors – an intentional design choice to maintain the aircraft’s range capabilities.

Adding door mechanisms would have added significant weight, potentially restricting operations in Etihad’s high-temperature environment.

Business travelers will appreciate the 17.3-inch 4K screens and wireless charging capabilities. All A321LR aircraft will feature Viasat satellite Wi-Fi service capable of streaming-quality connections, with complimentary messaging for all passengers and full connectivity included for premium customers.

Etihad Economy Class | Photo: Etihad

Economy Comfort Enhancements

The economy section accommodates 144 passengers with seats measuring 18.4 inches wide, among the more generous dimensions for narrow-body aircraft. Each seat features a 13.3-inch 4K monitor and USB charging ports, with 36 positions offering extra legroom.

While Etihad claims these seats provide “wide-body comfort,” the true passenger experience remains to be evaluated in operation.

Photo: Marcos Masclans, SM Aircraft Specifications & EIS at Etihad

Strategic Network Deployment

Etihad’s fleet of ten A321LRs arriving through 2025 will serve three strategic purposes within the network. First, they’ll introduce premium service to markets unable to support wide-body capacity, such as Chiang Mai (CNX) and Algiers (ALG).

Second, they’ll serve premium leisure destinations within a four-hour radius of Abu Dhabi, including the Seychelles (SEZ). Finally, they’ll supplement frequency on business routes like Paris (CDG), where demand exists for additional capacity but not necessarily another wide-body flight.

This narrow-body cabin enhancement previews broader changes coming to Etihad’s entire fleet. The airline has confirmed a comprehensive “billion-dollar” refurbishment program for its Boeing 787-9, 787-10, and 777 aircraft, with details expected within six months.

Additionally, the exclusive Residence cabin on Airbus A380 aircraft will receive updates to be announced by year-end.

These investments align with Etihad’s “Journey 2030” vision, encompassing fleet expansion, passenger growth, and network development as

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